What shopvac to get???

[5Toes]

my 9 gallon ridgid never gets anywhere near filling up doing multiple cars a day, anything over 9 gal is way overkill. a 5 gallon would be more than enough too, especially if you empty it after every job...
just go with ridgid, theyre plenty of vacuum for auto detailing

I think it is not about filling it... but more about how close are you getting your filter to the dirt... right?

Because our 5 gallon I would fill with about 2/3 inches of water after sucking out 4 carpets or so twice. Plus the dirt then and the filter is only an inch or so away from all that crap.

[SimplyDope]

Ridgid WD4522...it's amazing. Portable (fits in trunk with Lukebox with plenty of room to spare), and has a nice rectangular shape that lets it fit nicely and flat anywhere. It's also pretty powerful. The only thing I'd do is maybe buy the Ridgid professional hose kit to replace the factory hose.

[delatlanta1281]

So Ridgid and Craftsman use same motors? I want a good warranty, but at the same time... Crafstman everything is on sale 10% off November 13th weekend, and my buddy gets off an additional 20% off as an employee

Correct. Bot Ridgid and Craftsman utilize motors from Emerson Electric. They make some of the best low hp electric motors in the world. I heard a rumor that craftsman was going to TTI (ryobi) for motors, but I am not sure that's happened. If so, the quality will most likely be the same, but the motors won't be made in the US and Canada like Emerson's.

[delatlanta1281]

Ridgid WD4522...it's amazing. Portable (fits in trunk with Lukebox with plenty of room to spare), and has a nice rectangular shape that lets it fit nicely and flat anywhere. It's also pretty powerful. The only thing I'd do is maybe buy the Ridgid professional hose kit to replace the factory hose.

EXACTLY. The orange pro hose is tits. Well worth the extra money.

[5Toes]

Thinking about this... because I like to be different

http://www.numatic.co.uk/products4.aspx?id=28&r=4&sr=1

AT my school, the janitors use a HENRY vacuum... might have to askt hem if I can take a look at it. Very quiet, and cheaper than Fein. That particular model is also an extractor.

I have contacted this dealer: http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/George.htm

But not heard anything back, it is past closing time there. It would be cool if I could get possibly somebody on here to buy it, and then ship it to me.

EDIT: This is likely what I will buy

http://www.chemiclean.co.uk/Numatic-NVP.htm

The NVP370-2. They say it is 120V

[dreamer420]

I think it is not about filling it... but more about how close are you getting your filter to the dirt... right?

Because our 5 gallon I would fill with about 2/3 inches of water after sucking out 4 carpets or so twice. Plus the dirt then and the filter is only an inch or so away from all that crap.

erm.. not really sure about that, but id say no.. the 9 gallon is perfect for what I use it for, and sounds like you'll be using it for the same things. if you're sucking up water you should take the filter off anyways though.
I have a 30ft hose on my ridgid, and I do not see any loss of suction power from that, its quite an awesome vacuum. and they're what, 100$ or so?

mines lasted 6+ years man, and like I said, thousands of cars in a professional environment. cant go wrong with that!

[Jand3rson]

I got the regular old ShopVac at Wal-Mart about 2 years ago, on sale for $25. Hasn't done me wrong yet, always works perfectly, and I use it all the time.

[e34john]

16 gallon ridgid at HD 49.99 bucks and free shipping http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...f9fp0dd0c0s671

add something cheap to bring total to 50 bucks and use coupon HDTHANKS for 5 bucks off

[alpinescott]

I'd get one that sucks!.........LOL

[5Toes]

Well I bought a Craftsman 12 Gallon for $40 on Black Friday and an extra filter for it for $10. We love it (my detialing partner and I)

We dried a car with it, it is low profile so rolls easy. By low profile I mean short and fat not more tall and skinny.

Great vacuum

[Pantless Spency]

16 gallon ridgid at HD 49.99 bucks and free shipping http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1...f9fp0dd0c0s671

add something cheap to bring total to 50 bucks and use coupon HDTHANKS for 5 bucks off

i'd totally buy it but its out of stock :hitler: